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This book outlines some general tips and advice on caring for your skin, along with facts about new technologies and a few inside secrets that will potentially

save you thousands of dollars if you read every chapter carefully.

The emphasis is not placed on one single organ, but rather on a more holistic perspective. I have compiled this book using years of my practical and academic experience in the skin care industry to provide readers with a simple, useful and practical guide towards maintaining healthy and vibrant skin – naturally and non-invasively. All these tips do not serve as a substitute for treating skin disorders; they are general guidelines for helping readers in their personal journey towards wellness, youthfulness and joyfulness.

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Spots, rashes, and lesions on your face can be highly distressing. If you notice rashes, spots or lesions in your facial area, please visit your doctor and they will examine, diagnose, and treat the problem accordingly.

Some common causes of rashes on the face are listed below.

Acne ( a facial rash commonly occurring in adolescence and early mid-life and can appear as whiteheads, blackheads, bumps, with or without pus, and greasy skin )

Rosacea ( a condition that primarily appears on the face, made worse by stress, and appears as facial flushing, bumps on the nose, forehead and cheeks, along with the appearance of fine blood vessels along eyelid margins)

Polymorphic Light Eruptions ( a rash commonly occurring in young women after prolonged exposure to sunlight)

Dermatomyositis (causes a distinctive magenta colored rash around the eyes)

Insect Bites

Allergic reaction to a cosmetic

As you can see, the causes for facial rashes are specific, and due to their visible nature, can result in significant distress. An important point to remember is that many causes listed above can indicate a more generalized issue, so try to avoid self-diagnosis and treatment.

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The term Collagen is derived from Greek and is synonymous with glue. The secret is in the name. Collagen binds, cements and glues everything in our body together, keeping everything in place – taut and secure.

Collagen fibers are soft and flexible but strong and inelastic at the same time, without collagen fibers, the human body would become a structural mess and prone to mechanical injury.

When we lose this important binding substance, important structures and tissue within our body will start falling apart, the foundation becomes weak, loose, and fragile. The molecular weight of collagen is 300 kDa and this macromolecule is a vital structural component of the body and the forms 75% of our skin- the largest organ of the human body.

Biochemically, collagen molecules are in fact macromolecular proteins linked together by strong peptide bonds that are very difficult to break, making it a strong and stable molecule. Although more than 20 types of collagen have been isolated, collagen 1 (75%) and Collagen 3 (15%) are the two major types of dermal collagen.

Glycine, proline, alanine and hydroxyproline are the major amino acids that form the collagen protein in the skin.

Under the light microscope, they appear as longitudinally unbranched birefrigent fibers measuring 12-15 μɱ in length.

Although collagen is relatively metabolically inert, both quantitative and qualitative changes will occur throughout life. It should be noted that collagen is extremely resistant to enzymatic degradation, making it a very strong and stable molecule.

Initially as the body is growing, the concentration of collagen also increases simultaneously.

When we reach adulthood, collagen concentration become stable and stationary. Hence, collagen production slows down and no new collagen is made.

With increasing age, we notice a gradual decrease in the absolute amount of collagen per unit area of the skin. This process is accelerated in women.

The end result is a collagen depleted state.

Clinically this translates into sagging, fragile, weak, thin, wrinkled skin. Combined with photo-aging, the picture of ‘weathering‘ becomes prominent and the skin will appear, dull, lax, rough, mottled with various types of skin cancer.

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How many of you check the ingredients listed at the back of each product when you go shopping for cosmetics or cosmeceuticals? Not too many, I know – and why not? Answer is simple – because most people don’t know what those substances are anyway. Today let’s remedy this ignorant cosmetic browsing situation and delve into a crash course learning to highlight some of the iffy ingredients commonly found in the cosmetics in order to make your cosmetic cabinet healthy and harmful ingredient free for the future.

Start Sketching Your Watch-out List: A wise consumer should always scrutinize the composition of his/her purchases, especially if they can have a harmful effect on the skin or body. The following ingredients may be found in some makeup or skincare products. These chemicals are usually linked with itching and skin irritation—and sometimes even worse skin reactions — make a mental note to avoid them if you see them in the label.

Talc/Talcum Powder: This mineral is one of the most commonly used substances not just for makeup but also for other hygiene products like underarm deodorants and antiperspirants, baby powder, and soap. Manufacturers use it because it is a very affordable ingredient. However, talc in its natural form contains asbestos, which is considered carcinogenic. Reports show that women who applied products containing talc, near the genital area have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Talc is absorbed through the skin and into the reproductive system where the substance latches onto the lining of the ovary, forming cancerous tumors. The same type of tumors may develop in the lungs if the powder is inhaled.

There are products that use asbestos-free talc though but, unless if you can be sure that what you’re using is truly asbestos-free, avoid talc products whenever possible.

Phenylenediamine (a.k.a. Coal Tar Dye, D&C Blue #1, Green#3, Yellow#5 & #6, Red#33): This artificial coloring is sometimes used in permanent hair dyes and dark makeup palates. There have been many reports of allergic skin reactions to products laced with this coloring product. There have been reports of symptoms like; fatigue, headaches, and asthma attacks with inhalation of the powder form of phenylenediamine. The more serious side effects can be anaphylaxis and increased risks for developing multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), and Triethanolamine (TEA): These are emulsifying/foaming agents and surfactants used commonly in facial washes, soaps, toothpastes and shampoos. They are also known irritants to the eyes and skin—DEA, MEA and TEA can cause dermatitis. They are also easily absorbed by the skin and penetrate the body’s organs. SLS and SLES have also been liked to serious side effects like; depression, diarrhea, and skin irritation.

Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO): This is a common ingredient found in products used for acne prone oily skin. At the very least, it can cause skin and eye irritation. When accumulated in significant amounts, it may cause DNA damage and cause the body’s cells to mutate unnaturally. BPO has been linked to rumors of carcinogenicity but so far nothing has been proved. Benzoyl peroxide is also toxic by inhalation.

Mercury and Lead:Mercury is a very harmful substance, even in small quantities. It can badly affect brain function and overall health. If you’ve been using a lightening skin cream that’s imported from other countries check the label for mercury. But be aware the ingredient might also be listed as “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” “mercuric,” or “mercurio.” If there is no list of ingredients, don’t use the product. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include tremors, memory problems, irritability, and changes in vision or hearing.

Lead in makeup (and any other skin care and beauty products) might lead to poisoning in the long run. Like mercury, lead is also toxic to the brain. FDA investigations have found lead in 100 percent of the lipsticks tested. And the amounts of lead found aren’t small. One FDA test revealed lead levels up to 3.06 ppm (parts per million), and the second FDA test found lead levels up to 7.19 ppm.

Phthalates: Phalates have been implicated in atopic and contact dermatitis. Pregnant women should avoid any product that contains phthalate-based substances and their derivatives (ex: dibutyl phthalate in nail polish). When absorbed by the body, especially by males, it promotes feminization and can cause sperm damage (which means small sperm count) and other negative effects to the male sex organs. That’s why pregnant women should avoid it, especially if they are expecting a baby boy. On the woman’s part, phthalates may result in infertility.

Nanoparticles & Sunscreen Chemicals: Nanoparticles are used as sunscreen ingredients and the sad thing is, they aren’t often included in the list of ingredients. Although they protect the skin from harmful UV rays, many sunscreen chemicals can also cause DNA damage and even cancer. Doctors recommend staying indoors and using umbrellas, caps, and the like instead of always lathering sunscreen-enriched products. If the occasion requires it, choose mineral sunscreens because they don’t penetrate the skin as well as chemical sunscreens.

In Nut A Shell: Here’s a body map of some more ingredients to watch out for in your personal care products

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Every moment is vital. Every day is an education. It may change the way you think.

Many years ago, sitting in a busy dermatology outpatient clinic, we came upon a difficult situation. Our patient, a distressed and very tired young man was suffering from a specific form of Psoriasis. His life was put on hold, dealing with constant pain and after years of receiving oral and systemic treatment by various physicians without any success, he was now clinically depressed and toxic.

My professor of dermatology at the time, a visionary, philosopher and new age thinker, was one of the humblest and wisest souls I have ever met. He examined the young man, made his diagnosis, gave him a warm compassionate smile (which can do miracles for a weary soul) and handed the distressed man a prescription.

It read ‘ Dead Sea’.

After a few weeks the same young man came to our clinic for a follow up appointment. After re-examining him we noticed that more than 90% of his lesions had vanished and he was in remission, smiling and robust.

It was a moment I will never forget because it changed my way of thinking. I become a strong believer in Mother Nature.

Dead Sea Facts:

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth in any land mass.

The Dead Sea is one of the saltiest body of water on the planet, precisely 33.7% salt content.

The Dead Sea is located at the deepest point in the Great Rift Valley, which extends from Syria to Mozambique.

Health Facts:

The Dead Sea forms a kind of therapy known as Climatotherapy, combining all four elements (Water, Earth, Air, Fire) of Nature to promote healing.

The Dead Sea water itself and the Dead Sea Mud have immense rejuvenating and healing properties.

A unique combination of this mineral rich body of water and natural sunlight are capable of healing diseased skin and detoxifying your body.

Various studies have been conducted that support this natural healing phenomenon.

The mud of the Dead Sea also has anti-aging and potent detoxifying effects on the body.

The air around the Dead Sea is dry and oxygen rich, hence adding to the healing environment surrounding the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea and Psoriasis:

Only certain types of Psoriasis will respond to Climatotherapy. It cannot treat all forms of Psoriasis.

The people who respond to natural solar light, have greater chances of remission using this modality of therapy.

A retrospective 4 week study of 1488 patients with UVB responsive Psoriasis was conducted at the Dead Sea clinic from 1983-1986. Bathing in mineral rich water and natural solar radiation was carried out. Nearly three quarters improved by 90% or more.

This form of treatment was considered by experts to be pleasant, cost-effective and resulted in hardly any adverse events. It also provided much needed system detoxification, relaxation and meditation, after years of conventional allopathic treatment had taken its toll.

Studies are being continuously conducted and a team of onsite dermatologists and skin specialists at the Dead Sea Clinic are striving to give people a natural option in managing this chronic and debilitating disease.

A recent study indicated that patients with Psoriatic Arthritis had great benefit after Climatotherapy.

My personal experience with our patients made me a believer,

hence every day is an education, it can change the way you think.

If you want to know more about the Dead Sea Clinic & Climatotherapy, please visit their website.

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